Program to support jobs

Bridges and culverts on two major Wimmera roads will be subject to major upgrade works as part of a $10-million State Government regional Building Works package.

Crews will target Stawell-warracknabeal Road near Lubeck and Natimuk-frances Road near Gymbowen to boost durability and help prevent the need for future weight restrictions on the routes frequently used by primary producers.

The money will cover improvements ranging from full bridge replacements and foundation strengthening to drainage repairs and road-surface works.

It is also designed to create and support jobs ‘on the ground and in the supply chain’.

The package is part of a $124-million State Government investment to fix roads and help communities via fast-tracked upgrade projects to create or support almost 300 regional Victorian jobs.

Roads and Road Safety Minister Ben Carroll said all projects would comply with a ‘local jobs first’ policy, ensuring communities hit hardest by the effects of COVID-19 would benefit from the additional investment.

“We’re getting on with these projects to strengthen bridges in western Victoria, help Victorian workers and keep the economy moving,” he said.

“Whether it’s workers on the ground or in the supply chain – we’re upgrading these bridges to support jobs and help rural industry get their goods where they need to go.”

Labor Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford said the projects would help keep people in jobs and ensure primary producers could rely on these roads now and for years to come.